Anthracite Black Outdoor Porcelain Paving Tiles – 900x600mm

Porcelain is extremely good for patio paving, not only is it durable, low maintenance and aesthetically beautiful, but you can also get fantastic offers that are more cost-effective than using natural stone. Porcelain paving also offers stain resistance, slip resistance and frost resistance – so you know that your patio will withstand all weather conditions.

One of the main benefits to using porcelain paving is its good longevity. Providing you choose high quality porcelain tiles and have them laid properly with a good bedding, your porcelain paving can last you many decades (up to 50 years).

As porcelain tiles are durable, hard wearing and stain resistant, power washing is the recommended form of cleaning. You will not need to give porcelain tiles any special attention, and you will not need any special cleaning products. All you need to do is power wash your tiles once or twice a year to keep them looking brand new.

Unlike natural stone, porcelain tiles are non-porous, and they do not attract algae, moss, or mould. While they are extremely slip resistant, porcelain paving can still get slippery when it is wet or icy, as any outdoor surface can. During harsh weather conditions, you will still need to be careful when walking on porcelain paving.

In short, yes – porcelain tiles are perfect to use outdoors and are extremely suited to the British weather conditions. Due to the manufacturing process, porcelain paving tiles are strong and hard wearing, and compared to natural stone or concrete slabs, porcelain requires very little cleaning to maintain

You will need to lay your porcelain tiles onto a fresh bed of mortar to ensure that the tiles are secure and will not come loose. You will also need to make sure that you have prepared the ground underneath the mortar correctly, as porcelain tiles require a stronger bond than natural stone to keep them in place.

Yes, in most cases you will be okay to lay your porcelain tiles directly onto concrete instead of soil or another base. You will need to ensure that the concrete surface is free from any dust, moisture, and debris as these can prevent the tiles from bonding. You will also need to ensure that the concrete is in good condition before you begin to lay your porcelain tiles.

In order for your tiles to stay in place, and for the ground underneath to stay in good condition to prevent cracking or slipping, you will need to grout your outdoor porcelain tiles. You will need an exterior paving grout to ensure that your new outdoor space will withstand all weather conditions and keep your tiles safe and secure.

If you have a solid and flat base, then you can simply use the mortar to lay the tiles. If you have soft or uneven ground then you will need to create a stable surface using a layer of sharp sand or fine gravel. Porcelain tiles need a strong bond to keep them in place so it is important that you prepare the base correctly.

Due to their strong glazed surface, porcelain tiles are extremely stain resistant and have a low water absorption rate. These characteristics mean that staining is rare, and the only cleaning that they require is washing with water or a diluted neutral detergent. Some stubborn marks may need a bit of elbow grease to get rid of them, but they will look brand new in no time.

Porcelain paving slabs in general are cheaper than natural stone, but slightly more expensive than concrete flags. The cost has come down over the years for porcelain paving tiles, and the number of benefits you have over choosing porcelain greatly outnumber saving a little bit if you opt for concrete flags.

Vitrified porcelain paving refers to the type of paving tile that is made from pure kaolin clay mixed with minerals, including quartz and feldspar. It is then fired at 1200 degrees Celsius, making vitrified porcelain tiles very hard and extremely durable. The high firing temperatures also ensure that vitrified porcelain tiles have a low water absorption rate.

You will need to ensure that the ground is solid and even before you lay your porcelain slabs, and this may mean using sand or fine gravel before you start. You will need the correct mortar mixture and you will need to prime your tiles before you begin to lay them. Finish them off with exterior grouting to ensure your tiles are securely in place.

As porcelain tiles are hardwearing, durable and slip resistant, they are the perfect option if you are looking for an attractive alternative to natural stone driveways. You can purchase porcelain tiles in thicknesses up to 30mm, and their additional strength means they will offer an ideal laying solution to your driveway.

If you are looking to cut porcelain paving slabs, then the only effective way is to use a diamond wet blade saw. You will not be able to use hand tools or basic blades to cut through porcelain tiles due to their strong and hard wearing properties, even if they are marked as suitable for cutting through hard materials.

Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic tiles, and they are a non-porous material. This combination means that they are extremely hard wearing, durable, and slip resistant as they repel moss and algae. These strong properties make porcelain tiles perfect for outdoor areas that will see a lot of heavy footfalls, while still looking stunning.

There are pros and cons to both smooth and textured porcelain tiles – smooth tiles are easier to clean whilst textured tiles over more traction. If you are looking to use porcelain tiles outdoors, for example on a patio or driveway, generally people will use textured tiles so that they have more slip resistance when it is raining or snowing.

There are 4 main laying patterns that you can choose from when laying your outside tiles. A random laying pattern will give a more rustic feel, a stack bond paving laying pattern is very uniform and looks like a chessboard, a stretcher bond laying pattern is one of the more simpler laying patterns and is also known and the running bond, and finally the herringbone laying pattern is the traditional laying pattern for single, rectangular tiles.

Your outdoor space paving is purely down to personal preference, but both porcelain and sandstone have pros and cons. Porcelain is durable, hardwearing and will not fade in the sun, but the installation can be tricky. Sandstone is long lasting, eco-friendly and easy to maintain, however they have a high water absorption rate and can get scratched easily.

While using a household bleach diluted with water will not affect the properties of your tiles and cause them to break or crack, the acid in the bleach may alter the colour of your tiles or stain the grout. Instead, use a diluted PH neutral cleaner or a pressure washer to clean your outdoor porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tiles are made from clay and other natural materials. These are blended together and fired at extremely high temperatures, making them well known for being highly uniform and non-porous. This means that they have a low water absorption rate and will repel moss, algae, and mould.

The standard thickness of outdoor porcelain paving slabs is usually 2cm (20mm) thick, and this is usually sufficient if you are looking to pave patios, terraces, and pathways. You can get porcelain paving slabs up to 30mm thick, and you should consider using these thicker porcelain paving slabs if you are looking to pave your driveway.

Unlike other natural stone paving, porcelain paving tiles do not fade or change when they are exposed to direct sunlight over a long period of time.